My History Can Beat Up Your Politics

Newark N.J. suffered a brutal and consuming riot, or rebellion, depending on how you see things, in the hot summer of 1967. Through the voices of history, we hear about those events, what caused it, and the musician who got caught up and became an unlikely spark. Caught off guard, police and National Guard and a scuffle became a war. How the '67 events caused a change in government, was noticed in national politics, and how it remains an influence even for today's events. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

George Washington did not get a Cabinet as President. He created it. His precedents forged the institution and the President's relationship to the Executive Departments. Washington didn't fire a cabinet member, but he set the precedents in this area and in others. We are joined by Lindsay M. Chervinsky, a historian with the white house historian Her book, The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution has been published by Harvard University Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk Idi Amin, Kim Jong-il and other despots with Scott Rank of History Unplugged Podcast joins us to talk about his book History's Nine Most Insane Rulers. We get into Amin's awful suppression of opposition, deportation of Indian and Pakistani Ugandans, and extra judicial killings. Other insane rulers were more amusing, and we talk about that too.  Lee Rosevere provides music on this program - check out his music on bandcamp.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Godwin's Law is Not a Law. And yet, it probably should be followed in most cases. (re-do of past episode that contained an error). The surprising history of the rule that one should not discuss Nazis in debates, and the person who is not a scientist nor a lawmaker who came up with it. Also, when you can violate the rule and what the rule says about meme-driven discussions in 2017. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The May 4, 1970 shootings at Kent State killed 4 students and wounded 9. Paula Stone Tucker was a student going through her work and studies on campus when she witnessed a historic event. We talk about Kent State, how the 4 days unfolded, and get Paula Stone Tucker's take on events. She is the author of the book Surviving a Kent State Memoir. We are grateful to Ohio vs. the World Podcast for lending the story of another Kent State shooting survivor Dean Kahler. Sign up for Alex's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We speak with Laura Spinney, science journalist and author of "Pale Rider: The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How It Changed the World" and discuss the dreadful disease that claimed 50-100 million lives, more than the Great War that preceded it. The so-called 'Spanish Flu' caused global damage but also caused scientists to reflect and develop bettter science and public health strategies. But how much have we learned those lessons? We discuss these topics.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A stubborn impeached governor, odd caucus locations, real estate and politics. Bruce talks about the Iowa Caucus, how it works, changes in 2020, its history and influence and what things look like this year. Impeachment and the current universe of politics in the United States. He finds a silver lining in the whole impeachment discussion, and discuss impeachment and political fallout, and Trump's chances. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's all of those things. Conversation with David Priess, MHCBUYP listener, COO of Lawfare, Author of several books - about impeachment and the decision to impeach, and the many sides to this question from Tyler to Clinton to Trump.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What was the true function of the Proclamation and the context surrounding it? How did people react at this time? Was slavery the true cause of the Civil War, and should North and South fit into liberal and conservative boxes. Could Congress pick the President? And what podcast advice does Bruce have? Bruce takes Listener Questions in this episode. Music from Chris Zabriskie, Chris Novembrino and Lee Rosevere on this episode.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alexander Butterfield, Nixon’s deputy COS who revealed the existence of the taping system in the White House, gets only a small mention in Watergate history but he has a lot to contribute to the understanding of it. He recently spoke to Bob Woodward in a new book and his account and the records he kept for decades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices